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Letter: Gift horses could result in white elephant

It is time to look at not one, but two “gift horses in the mouth” before we invest in a “white elephant.
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Finding a family doctor can be extremely frustrating and the bureaucracy can be a challenge to navigate. File photo
It is time to look at not one, but two “gift horses in the mouth” before we invest in a “white elephant.”

The recent news that the federal government may be matching the provincial offer of one-third funding for the scaled-down $80-million Maley Drive project should have city council carefully evaluating our participation.

Several questions needed to be answered and full transparency evident with respect to the actual need for the project and the cost. There is only one municipal taxpayer pocket, and we need to know just how much the project will affect local taxation, and if other projects will be put aside or postponed, including repairs to our present infrastructure. The provincial and federal funds will not cover any cost overruns or ongoing maintenance costs of the new artery.

Friendly to Seniors – Sudbury has expressed concern with respect to this project for some time, and has invited informed opinion from both those in favour and those against. No one in favour has come forward to answer any of our questions and to defend their position. We have had those against present their arguments, which we have recorded and can be accessed on our website friendlytoseniors.ca. We would welcome an open forum to have both those for and against present for the public to evaluate.

John Lindsay
Chair, Friendly to Seniors – Sudbury